Dr Jane Goodall warns New Zealand's environment is 'in crisis' in new agreement

Thursday, 23 May 2019

Dr Jane Goodall has called for action on New Zealand's environment in a new agreement.

New Zealand is facing an environmental crisis and needs urgent action from all sectors of society, renowned conservationist Dr Jane Goodall has warned.

With six non-governmental organisations, Goodall has signed 'the Aotearoa Deal for Nature' calling for an end to all new oil and gas exploration, mining on conservation land, and reform of the Resource Management Act.

'Our natural world is in crisis. But by working together, we can prevent disaster,' Goodall said.

Dr Jane Goodall says the natural world is in crisis but disaster can be prevented.

She wants New Zealand to protect 30 per cent of all its ecosystems by 2030 and the protection of 30 per cent of marine habitats.

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Every year thousands of protected marine species like penguins are legally killed by commercial fishing boats, the Aotearoa Deal for Nature document says.

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In New Zealand more than 4000 native plants and animals, including kererū and kiwi, are among the one million species worldwide that are at risk of extinction.

WWF-New Zealand chief executive Livia Esterhazy says it's not just biodiversity and the environment that are at risk - humans are at risk too.

Last month, the Ministry for the Environment released Environment Aotearoa, a report describing the country's environment on the brink, largely as a result of human actions.

WWF-New Zealand chief executive Livia Esterhazy said the deal called for joint action.

Jane Goodall Institute New Zealand Founder and Chief Executive Dr Melanie Vivian and Dr Jane Goodall signing the Aotearoa Deal for Nature.

'It's not just biodiversity and the environment that are at risk, but we too are at risk.'

Changes demanded included effective climate change legislation, the end to destructive farming and better ocean protection.

'Every year thousands of protected marine species like penguins, albatross, sharks and dolphins, are legally killed by commercial fishing boats … our commercial fisheries are poorly regulated with outdated legislation.'

The Government needed to strengthen the resource management framework, and reform the Resource Management Act, to ensure all activities occur within clear environmental bottom lines and limits, the document said.

Jane Goodall Institute New Zealand chief executive Dr Melanie Vivian said the crises could feel overwhelming, but everyone could take action.

'Our next step will be to outline how we all play our part in the plan,' Vivian said. Progress will be discussed with the Government in 12 months.

Minister for Conservation Eugenie Sage said the Government welcomed the call for more ambition.

'The Government is already undertaking work to control rats, stoats, and possums to protect our forests and wildlife, delivering action on climate change, and transition the economy to a zero carbon, zero waste economy.

'The global biodiversity crisis highlights the urgency of this work and the need to do more as all of us and our economy depend on nature.'

The Aotearoa Deal for Nature was developed by the Jane Goodall Institute New Zealand, Forest & Bird, WWF-NZ, Greenpeace NZ, the Environmental Defence Society, Environment and Conservation Organisations of Aotearoa, and has been endorsed and signed by Goodall.